Volcano Awareness Month includes in-person, online events

Volcano Awareness Month includes in-person, online events

Scientists and preparedness experts are asking the public to take extra steps in May to make sure they're familiar with the threats our state faces from five active volcanoes.

It's Volcano Awareness Month and with it comes multiple ways for the public to engage with experts, including online and in-person events.

The United States Geological Survey is also debuting new preparedness materials this month focusing on lahars, which are huge mudflows of volcanic ash and debris.

Washington State has five major volcanoes in the Cascade Range - Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams.

On May 18, 1980 at 8:32 a.m., the bulging north flank of Mount St. Helens slid away in a massive landslide. Seconds later, the uncorked volcano exploded and blasted rocks horizontally, destroying centuries of forest growth in a span of several minutes. Nine hours of explosive volcanic activity ensued, killing 57 people and forever altering the landscape and what we know about volcanoes.

All three Mount St. Helens visitor centers will be open for the anniversary of the eruption. Opening May 16, Weyerhaeuser's Forest Learning Center joins the already-open U.S. Forest Service's Science and Learning Center at Coldwater and the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, managed by Washington State Parks.

On May 16, State Parks will host a Washington Emergency Management Division volcano expert for visitors to field questions and learn about volcanoes. And, on May 18, the Forest Learning Center will also host a Washington Emergency Management Division volcano expert and have their own experts on hand for an event.

USFS and State Parks will also offer a fee-free day on May 18 at their visitor centers. The Forest Learning Center is always free to visit. The Coldwater facility is normally closed on Mondays during its "off-season" hours but will specifically be open on May 18 to welcome those who want to remember the eruption.

Learn more about the visitor centers here, including hours and directions:

• State Parks' Mount St. Helens Visitor Center
• Weyerhaeuser's Forest Learning Center
• USFS' Science and Learning Center at Coldwater

Nearby Johnston Ridge Observatory and Highway 504 at Mile Post 45.2 remain closed after a landslide caused catastrophic damage to a nearby bridge. WSDOT says on its construction project website that a contractor began work in April to permanently rebuild the bridge and roadway and construction is expected to be complete in fall 2026. But, even after that, it will take time for the observatory to re-open.

There are other times to meet scientists and preparedness experts, too!

• A Reddit Ask-Me-Anything online session with experts from USGS and Washington is slated to go from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 12, 2025. A free Reddit account is needed to participate, but not to read the responses. Follow this account to be notified when the session is live.
• Pierce County Emergency Management will host two sessions for residents to learn more about volcanoes and personal preparedness. "Are you VolcanoReady? Come learn about Mt. Rainier, the active volcano in our backyard."
  • 4 p.m., May 7 at Fife Pierce County Library
  • 4 p.m., May 28 at Eatonville Pierce County Library
• USGS will host a talk about volcanoes at 5 p.m., May 17 at Dovetail Cellars, 404 East Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA.
• The Mount St. Helens Institute is hosting a lecture on May 18 with Carolyn Driedger from the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory. There's a cost to attend. The in-person part of the event is sold out, but it can be streamed online.

Find more preparedness tips at https://mil.wa.gov/volcano